Abstract

Strabo states that Sybaris was situated between the Crathis and Sybaris rivers and had walls which extended for fifty stadia (5.7 miles or 9.2 kilometres), and that a war between this city and Croton, lasting just seventy days, resulted in its complete destruction. The ancient sources, such as they are, are unanimous in their estimation that this community was destroyed on account of its citizens' addiction to a luxurious lifestyle and for an utter disregard for the gods (Strabo 6.1.13; Athenaeus 12.521c-f).